Here’s a quick tutorial with simple beginner tips and the controls for screen (or “pick”) setting in NBA 2K23. Screens are an effective tactic in basketball and NBA 2K23, and this guide includes how to set screens, call for screens, types of screens, and more!
Also See:
Screen Controls
| ACTION | Xbox Series X / XB1 | PS5 / PS4 |
|---|---|---|
| Set Screen | Press and hold B | Press and hold O |
| Quick Screen | Tap B | Tap O |
| Call for Screen | Press and Hold LB to have teammate set pick | Press and hold L1 to have teammate set pick |
| Pick Control Side | Press and hold LB, then use Left Stick to choose the pick side | Press and hold L1, then use Left Stick to choose the pick side |
| Pick Control Roll or Fade | Press and hold LB, then use RB to choose Roll or Fade | Press and hold L1, then use R1 to choose Roll or Fade |
| Slip Screen and Early Fade | Once a pick is called, press LB again at any time before the screener gets hit to have them Slip or Fade early | Once a pick is called, press L1 again at any time before the screener gets hit to have them Slip or Fade early |
Types of Screens & Plays
There are many types of screens you can do in basketball, but here are some of the most common screens in the game:
Ball Screen
A ball screen is the general term for any screen set for a teammate who has possession of the ball.
Back Screen
The back screen involves an off-ball player setting a screen behind a teammate’s defender, which usually catches a defender unaware and allows the offensive player to cut towards the basket where they can receive the pass and finish with an open layup or dunk.
Pick and Roll
The pick and roll (also called a screen and roll) is an offensive play in which a player sets a screen (pick) for a teammate handling the ball and then moves toward the basket (rolls) to receive a pass.
Pick and Pop
The pick and pop is an offensive move in which the on-ball screener “pops” over to an open spot on the court instead of towards the basket to receive the ball pass.
General Tips for Screens
- For MyCAREER, use the Brick Wall Badge to set tougher screens
- Setting picks is all about finding the right angles and positioning, reading the defense, and timing.
- The main goals of setting screens is to create space for the offense to operate, creates mismatches to exploit, create confusion among the defense and their rotations, and to set up multi-sequence plays.
- In NBA 2K23, some good and basic locations to set screens – whether off-ball or on-ball, are at the top of the key, the wings just under the 3pt line, and baselines.
- When setting a screen, good contact on the defender is crucial. Otherwise, they will simply slide around you.
- Avoid moving once you have established a good screen position or you’ll get called for an illegal pick.
